Frequently Asked Questions
I don't like needles, does acupuncture hurt? What can I expect for my first vist and treatment? How often do I need treatments? Is acupuncture covered by insurance? What makes Traditional Japanese acupuncture unique?
I don't like needles, does acupuncture hurt?
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Japanese acupuncture techniques are extremely gentle and comfortable and in fact, it is quite common for people to become so relaxed that they actually fall asleep during the treatment. The needles used for acupuncture are much thinner than the typical medical needles that one may have experienced in a doctor's office.
What can I expect for my first vist and treatment?
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If this is your first visit, please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to fill out some paperwork and medical history. Questions are asked to assess your health, including details about your main health concerns as well as general health. Other methods of diagnosis used include taking the pulse on your wrists as well as feeling acupuncture points on the abdomen and back which correspond to various internal organs and energy pathways. This will then be followed by the actual treatment, which usually lasts 45 - 60 minutes. Because traditional acupuncture treats the entire person, needles will usually be placed on the arms, legs, abdomen, and back, regardless of where the specific complaint or symptoms may be located.
How often do I need treatments?
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For most conditions, treatment is scheduled once per week, with some positive changes usually being noticed within the first few visits. However, for more acute or severe conditions, several treatments per week may be required. As the condition improves, treatments can then be gradually spaced further apart. For general maintanence, many people often come in on a monthly basis to keep up their good health.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
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Many extended health insurance policies cover acupuncture, but please check with your individual provider for the details.
For low-income patients, part of the treatment may be covered by the BC Medical Services Plan, please see the Services page for more information.
What makes Traditional Japanese acupuncture unique?
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There are 3 main features that distinguish Traditional Japanese acupuncture:
First is that the acupuncture techniques are extremely gentle yet effective, which makes for very comfortable treatments, and is particularly suited for sensitive people, including children.
Second is the emphasis on palpation, or the sense of touch, in both diagnosis and treatment. In Japan, acupuncture (along with massage) was a profession mainly reserved for blind people, so many techniques which rely on the sense of touch were developed and refined. The pulses and the abdomen are frequently checked throughout the treatment in order to give immediate feedback on how the session is progressing as well as provide guidance for further actions.
Third, and perhaps most important, is the emphasis on improving the person's overall constitution. In Japanese acupuncture, all disease is viewed as originating from an energetic deficiency in the body. Regardless of the person's symptoms, a large portion of treatment is focused on treating this "root" deficiency, and by strengthening this "weakest link in the chain", the entire person is brought into a healthier state of balance. People often comment on how other symptoms they forgot to mention have also improved, in addition to just having a greater sense of well-being.
If you have any more questions, feel free to email Avery at: avery@ayacupuncture.com or you can phone the clinic to book your appointment: 604-671-4682.
